PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between AL Lickertwat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reiska Pekka Retale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Retale comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Reiska Pekka Retale has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lickertwat
vs
Pekka Retale

175 cm
33
159 lbs
24 - 14 - 1

169 cm
32
154 lbs
32 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, AL Lickertwat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reiska Pekka Retale!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Lickertwat, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Retale takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Retale connects with a solid leg kick.

Lickertwat changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Retale looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lickertwat trying to control the action but Retale is working from the bottom.
Retale is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Retale taking punishment in the form of punches.

It looks like Reiska Pekka Retale has been cut.
We've been hearing good reports from Lickertwat's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Lickertwat trying to control the action but Retale is working from the bottom.
Lickertwat works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Lickertwat misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lickertwat throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lickertwat working the ground and pound.
Lickertwat working away.
Retale is looking to reverse the position.
Lickertwat taking a breather here.
Lickertwat misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Retale struggling a bit here.
Retale is working to avoid the ground and pound but Lickertwat connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lickertwat working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lickertwat tries to move to mount but Retale blocks the move with his legs.
Lickertwat working the ground and pound.
Lickertwat trying to control the position but Retale is working away.
Lickertwat misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The strikes coming from Lickertwat are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Retale can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat working the ground and pound.
Lickertwat tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Retale manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lickertwat thows a huge punch but Retale dodges it nicely.
Lickertwat lands with a punch from half guard.
Lickertwat lands strikes from half guard.
Lickertwat not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lickertwat perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Lickertwat throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Retale is not content to let Lickertwat control the position.
Lickertwat landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Lickertwat looks to land a strike but Retale avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Retale has his hands on Lickertwat's head, controlling the position.
Retale is trying to keep Lickertwat in close.
Retale preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lickertwat keeps the fight on the outside.
A little feinted left hand from Lickertwat on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Retale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lickertwat.
Retale tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AL Lickertwat dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Reiska Pekka Retale's cut.
That's time! Lickertwat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lickertwat lands with a kick to the temple. Retale shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Retale throws a hook but Lickertwat blocks it.
Lickertwat catches Retale with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Retale misses the shot to the body.
Retale throws an off balance right hand
and Lickertwat counters with a straight right hand.
Lickertwat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Retale.
Lickertwat attempts a counter takedown but Retale avoids it well and moves away.
Retale tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lickertwat swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Retale swinging wildly here.
Retale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lickertwat.
Lickertwat throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Retale misses with a series of wild punches.
Lickertwat throws a quick counter head kick but Retale was just out of range.
Lickertwat throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Retale misses with a kick to the body
and Retale takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Retale lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lickertwat at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lickertwat misses with a wild body shot.
Retale unleashes a big counter combination but Lickertwat bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lickertwat misses with a body shot.
Lickertwat sets himself, and Retale steps forward looking for the clinch! Lickertwat avoids it this time.
Retale misses with an uppercut. Lickertwat saw that one coming.
Lickertwat looks to score with a jab to the body but Retale is just out of range.
Lickertwat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lickertwat went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nice body punch from Retale.
Retale slips a straight right by Lickertwat.
Retale takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lickertwat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Retale can do to turn this around?
Lickertwat misses with a hook. Retale ducked under it nicely.
Lickertwat stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Retale looks for the body kick but Lickertwat saw that one coming.
Retale dodges the punch combination from Lickertwat.
Retale misses with a two punch combination.
Retale takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Reiska Pekka Retale is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lickertwat swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat looks for a takedown but Retale sprawls well.
Retale throws a right and a left that Lickertwat avoids nicely.
Lickertwat throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Retale sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Retale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lickertwat fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Retale avoids it really well and circles away.
Lickertwat takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Retale slips a jab from Lickertwat.
Retale misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat connects with a good right hand that stumbles Retale. Retale circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Retale clinches.
Retale throws a punch but it's blocked by Lickertwat.
A head punch on the inside from Retale fails to land.

Lickertwat tightens his grip and picks Retale up, before dumping him to the ground. Retale manages to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lickertwat accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lickertwat trying to control the position from guard on top but Retale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lickertwat missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lickertwat trying to control the position from guard on top but Retale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lickertwat looking to sit in guard and control but Retale gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lickertwat bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Retale's guard.

Lickertwat is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Retale looking for a sweep. Not yet Retale, not yet.
Lickertwat trying to control but Retale is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lickertwat lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AL Lickertwat dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Reiska Pekka Retale's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Retale throws a body kick that misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Lickertwat as he connects with a hook.
Retale scores with a push kick.
Lickertwat tried to score with a low kick but Retale checks it.
Retale tries to counter with a clinch but Lickertwat shakes him off and moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Retale misses the target.
Retale misses with a two punch combination.
Retale throws a lazy right hand but Lickertwat sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lickertwat lands a jab to the head.
Retale misses with an attempted mid kick.
Retale misses with a body kick.
Retale with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lickertwat.

Retale drives through and clinches with Lickertwat against the cage.
Lickertwat doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Retale is looking to control Lickertwat's arms but Lickertwat gets an underhook and turns him. Now Retale has his back to the cage.
Retale connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lickertwat's face.

It looks like AL Lickertwat has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat misses with a body punch.
Retale trying to land knees to the body.
Lickertwat lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short right from Lickertwat on the inside.
Lickertwat blocks an uppercut.
Retale blocks an uppercut.
Retale throws an elbow but it misses.
Retale prevents a body shot from Lickertwat.
Retale lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Retale missing with knees to the body.
Retale scores with a nice hook to the head.
Retale can't find room to land a body shot as Lickertwat controls the action.
Retale swings wildly with an uppercut but Lickertwat uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lickertwat takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat leaning his opponent against the cage.
Retale avoids a wild elbow strike from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat lands a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lickertwat blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lickertwat trying to stall but Retale improves his position.
Good body shot from Retale.
Lickertwat has a couple of punches blocked by Retale.
A head punch on the inside from Lickertwat fails to land.
Lickertwat lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Retale tries to land knees in the clinch but Lickertwat avoids the damage to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lickertwat misses with some punches.
Lickertwat lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Retale is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Retale as Lickertwat tries to tie him up.
Retale lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lickertwat takes an elbow to the temple.
Lickertwat lands with a right to the head.
Retale misses with a punch to the body.
Retale landing knees to the body.
Lickertwat blocking some punches.
Retale tries to land a knee to the head but Lickertwat blocks with his arms.
Retale is leaning against Lickertwat and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Retale misses with a hook from the clinch.
A knee to the head by Retale.

Lickertwat is rocked!
A short uppercut from Retale.
Oh Lickertwat is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lickertwat avoiding damage as Retale throws knees to the body.
Lickertwat blocking some punches.
Lickertwat lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lickertwat throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Retales head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch on the inside from Retale fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale avoids a wild elbow strike from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Retale prevents a takedown attempt there.
Retale lands an uppercut.
Lickertwat has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Retale avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AL Lickertwat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Retale creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Retale lands an uppercut.
Retale lands a shot to the body.

Lickertwat manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Retale as Lickertwat shoots in.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lickertwat throws a leg kick that misses.
Retale misses with a body shot.
Retale closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Retale connects with a single shot there.
Retale throws a lazy head kick
and Lickertwat connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Left hook, right uppercut from Retale.
Retale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Retale throws a series of strikes that have Lickertwat backpedaling.
Lickertwat moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lickertwat moves out of range of the leg kick from Retale.
Lickertwat ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Retale moves away.
Retale misses with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reiska Pekka Retale really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Lickertwat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Retale moves into the clinch.
Retale scores a nice knee to the body.
Retale lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lickertwat backwards.
A knee to the head by Retale.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Retale.
Retale throws a head punch that misses.
Lickertwat struggles to land a body shot inside as Retale controls his hands.
Lickertwat blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Lickertwat gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Retale regains guard.
Lickertwat trying to control the position from guard on top but Retale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Retale looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lickertwat throwing strikes but missing.
Lickertwat is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Retale is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lickertwat gets back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lickertwat controls Retale momentarily but Retale frees himself.
Retale must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale pushing down on Lickertwat's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Lickertwat seems to have got his legs back now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lickertwat manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Lickertwat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lickertwat has Retale pulled in close to control his posture.
Retale wants to pass the guard but Lickertwat is keeping the position.
Lickertwat has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lickertwat trying to control the position.

Lickertwat had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Retale defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat is trying to control the position but Retale postures up.

Lickertwat looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lickertwat keeping moving, preventing Retale from controlling successfully.
Lickertwat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Retale won't allow Lickertwat to sweep him here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Lickertwat closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lickertwat lands in his opponent's guard.
Lickertwat slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Lickertwat drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lickertwat jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Retale being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat wants to control from the top but Retale keeps moving.
Lickertwat missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lickertwat trying to control but Retale is working from the bottom.
Lickertwat won't allow Retale to sweep him here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Retale wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Lickertwat dives in and scores a takedown into Retale's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that AL Lickertwat will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Retale swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lickertwat misses with a body shot.
Lickertwat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Retale.
Lickertwat swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lickertwat bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Retale's head.
Lickertwat goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Retale throws a lazy uppercut
and Lickertwat cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Retale just misses with a punch to the body.
Retale feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lickertwats jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Lickertwat bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Retale avoids a punch combination nicely.
Retale only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A cross from Lickertwat lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lickertwat connects with a body shot.
Retale lands with a shot to the body.
Retale misses with a body kick.
Retale misses with a straight right.
Lickertwat shoots in for a double leg but Retale sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Retale throws a right hand that Lickertwat ducks under and follows up with a left that Lickertwat also avoids with ease.
Retale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lickertwat was well out of range. Poor timing from Retale.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lickertwat.
Lickertwat shoots in looking for a takedown. Retale tries to sprawl out of it but Lickertwat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Retale manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lickertwat just misses with a punch to the body.
Retale tries to counter by closing the distance.
Lickertwat throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lickertwat throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Retale. No joy for Lickertwat on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AL Lickertwat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Retale scores with a hook to the body. Lickertwat takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lickertwat misses with a wild combination.
Retale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lickertwat darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lickertwat dives in for a single leg takedown but Retale sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lickertwat misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Retale.
Retale fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lickertwat feinted with a counter takedown.
Lickertwat lands with an overhand left.
Lickertwat misses with a right hand
and Retale counters with a body kick.
Reiska Pekka Retale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lickertwat misses with a hook.
Lickertwat loads up on a big right hand but Retale slips the punch.
Lickertwat dodges the punch combination from Retale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Retale.
Lickertwat scoring well with a low kick there.
Retale looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Retale walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Retale gets caught flat footed, as Lickertwat shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lickertwat loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Retale controls Lickertwat momentarily but Lickertwat frees himself.
Retale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lickertwat is one step ahead there.
AL Lickertwat is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lickertwat trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lickertwat throws a big elbow that misses.
Lickertwat stopping the sweep attempt from Retale.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Lickertwat is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Retale throws a jab but it's blocked by Lickertwat.
Lickertwat is looking to counter punch.
Retale misses with a looping right.
Retale on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
AL Lickertwat showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lickertwat has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AL Lickertwat!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, AL Lickertwat made sure he mentioned Milwaukee's Best Nutrition, along with how happy he was to win his fight.